Holder for smoking pipes



March 12, 1957 A. l.. HABLER 2,784,887

HOLDER FOR SMOKING PIPEs Filed Jan. 4. 1954 HOLDER FOR SMOKING PIPES dam L. Hablar, Redondo Beach, Calif.

Application January 4, 1954, Serial No. 401,793

12 Claims. (Ci. 22429) This invention relates to holding devices for tobacco smoking pipes, and especially to holding devices adapted for mounting on the instrument panel of an automobile or, with minor adaptation, to carrying on the edge of an outer coat pocket or shirt pocket of a smoker.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a novel and attractive structure into which a smoking pipe may be readily inserted, by which a pipe will be conveniently retained against unintentional dislodgment, and from which it may be easily withdrawn when desired.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such a pipe holder which may be easily shaped to accommodate the stem of a pipe and its bowl so that conventional pipes of varying sizes may be held in a given holder.

Another object of the invention is to provide a smoking-pipe holding device having means readily adaptable to carrying the holder by slipping it over the edge of a pocket of a` users clothing, or over a similar support elsewhere, or receiving means such as a rubber suction cup for afixing the holder to the .instrument panel of an automobile or the like.

Other objects of the invention, together with the various features of construction, will become apparent to those skilled `in the art upon reference to `the accom'- panying drawing andthe following specication wherein certain preferred embodiments are illustrated.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing a `preferred `form of the `present invention as attached to `the `instrument `panel of an automobile, the position of the smoking pipe, when placed therein, being indicated in broken lines;

Fig. 2 shows in general a vertical section through the structure of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a face View of the holding unit of Figs. 1 and 2, the tying and adjusting thongs being .removed and the wings of the pipe stem receiver being extended into a generally flattened position;

Fig. 4 is a cross section on an enlarged `scale approximately as indicated by the lines 4--4 of Figs. 2 fand 3.;

Fig. 5 is a view largely in elevation, but partly in perspective, of a modified form of pipe-holding device;

Fig. 6 is a section through the structure of Fig. 5; -and Fig. 7 is principally an elevation of another modification.

Referring to the form shown in Figs. l to 4 of the drawing, the holding device includes a lieXible unit iti and an elongated stiffening unit l2 conveniently in the form of a light spring strip, such as a strip of spring brass capable or" being shaped to `a desired curved conguration and yet possessing an appreciable amount of resilience. The spring strip 12, inthe formvshown `is retained in an elongated pocket in the flexible unit it). This pocket is provided between an outer `iiexible backing member generally indicated at 14 and an inner elongated pocket-forming member generally indicated at 15 which is narrow in its upper portion 'as best seen in Fig. 3 and is -ilared more or less to correspond with "the width nited States Patent O of the lower portion of the backing member 14. The edges of the pocket member 1S are stitched down to the member 114 as indicated at i6, or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The upper portion of the outer backing member la, being considerably wider than the upper por tion of the pocket-forming member i5' thus provides a pair of vertically extending wing members 18 lying beyond or laterally of the upper narrow portion of the pocket-forming member i5. The outer edges of the wings lh are desirably vertically disposed and parallel to the axis of the spring strip l2 vertically disposed within the pocket between the backing member 14 and the pocket-forming member 15. The edges of the wings lh are adapted to be brought together or into proximity with each other as indicated in Fig. 1, whereby to provide an elongated vertically extending passage adapted tn psss the mouthpiece M of a smoking pipe and the stem S thereof as seen in phantom lines in Fig. l. y forining the backing member M and the pocket member 153 from leather, the required relationship between the Wings i8 and the other parts of the holder is very easily attained. As indicated in Figs. l and 3, the lower portion of the holder provided by both the backing member 1d and the pocket member l5 is in the form of ilaring side portions Ztl which are adapted to receive rearward portions of the bowl B of a smoking pipe. The lower edge portions of the wings iti taper rather gradually into the broad or ared portions Zd, and as a consequence of such relative elongation result in producing a gradually narrowing throat leading from the bowl-receiving ilaring portions Ztl up into the passage produced within the wings iii in the finished structure. The side wings l@ of the backing member i4 are provided adjacent their edges with a plurality of apertures 22 adapted to receive, as required, retaining means such as a leather thong or the like indicated at 24. Commonly a single thong 24 secured in a bow knot as shown in Fig. l is adequate, but, ir desired, an upper thong 24a may be employed.

With the construction above described, the upper portion of the pocket member 15 is narrow, so that in conjunction with the corresponding upper portion of the backing member 11i the upper portion of the resultant pocket is relatively narrow. Also, these two narrow upper potrions of the members 14 and l5 serve to form a back portion of the passage produced by bringing the wings 18 together and tying them with the thong 24 or with the thongs 24 and 24a. Thus the forward portions of the wings 13, in conjunction with the thong 24 `or the thongs 24 and 24a, constitute a forward portion Vof such passage, the sides thereof being formed by intermediate vertical portions of the wings 18. In this manner the stem S of the smoking pipe is snugly received, and the lower portions of the wings 1S, under the contracting iniuence of the thong 24, draw in the upper portions of the broad, flared parts 2t?, thereby also snugly receiving that portion of the pipe bowl B disposed at the base of the stem S. The forward edge portions of the wings i3 are more or less nearly brought into contact with each other depending upon the actual width of the wings i8 and the sizeof the stem of the particular pipe being held.

Since it is desirable to cause the inner member or pocket member l5 to extend the full width of the flared portions 2t) for engagement with the base of the pipe bowl B, the

t lower portion of the pocket between the backing member ifi and the pocket member i5 is therefore relatively very wide. Since it is important, as presently to be described, that the stiliening strip or spring strip l2 extend vertically downward along the axis of the device, means is provided at the lower end of the strip l2 to maintain such vertical alignment. in `the forms shown a knotted thong 25 is 'passed at 26 through small holes yin the exible members vease? 14 and 15 and in the strip 12 at the lower ends of these parts. This tie member also prevents upward movement of the spring strip 12 in the above-described pocket, which otherwise would be possible by reason of the fact that the upper end of the strip l2 extends outward and rearward through a slit 28 in the leather backing mem.- ber 14, as best indicated in Fig. 2, whence an integral hook 12a is bent downward (Fig. 2). This hook member 12a may be adapted either for engaging over the upper edge of a pocket of a shirt or coat or other garment of the wearer, or for hooking over any other means such as a bar or strip on an automobile instrument panel, or otherwise. Or, as illustrated, the hook Ma may be adapted as a mount for an attaching means which may be more appropriate in a given connection as presently to be described.

In order to insure retention of a smoking pipe in proper position in the described holding device when the stem of the pipe is inserted in the passage provided by the wings 13 and the thong 2d in conjunction with the described rear portion of the upper part of the holder, the spring member i2 is relied upon to insure an adequate seat for the lower portion of the base of the bowl B. This seat is curved forward from the back portion of the device as indicated at 3G in Figs. 1 and 2. Thus, the lower end of the spring strip 12 is bent forward toward the axis of the passage formed by the wings 1S and the thong 24, and, in practice, ordinarily will extend forward beyond such axis and thence downward so that its tip is directed more or less vertically downward and so that the corresponding tie thong 25 may provide a convenient finger piece by which to exert downward pull when the pipe is being moved upward to pass the mouthpiece M between the wings 18 and move the stem S into retention position with the base of the bowl B resting upon the seat 3d. The shaping of the seat Sii is readily accomplished by means of a spring-brass strip serving as the stiffening member 12, because such material may be more or less readily shaped by the wearer to provide the required seat for the particular pipe being carried, such material at the same time offering such resilience as may be required to permit the necessary ilexure at the seat 30 while the bowl is being positioned, with adequate elasticity for return of the seat portion of the strip l2 to its original position so that the seat 30 is restored, and the bowl and stem are properly held up in the desired retention position.

Whereas the tie thong 25 provides a convenient means for exerting a downward pull as the pipe is being moved upward into the retention position shown in Fig. l, the uppermost thong 24, if used may provide a convenient finger means to exert an upward pull on the holder when the pipe is being withdrawn downward from the position illustrated in Fig. l in broken lines.

Instead of employing the hook 12a at the upper end of the stiff strip 12 as a sole means for attaching to the upper edge of a pocket or other support, other attachment means, as above indicated, may be employed, that illustrated being a rubber or other plastic suction cup 32 adapted to be affixed in a conventional manner to an instrument board panel 33, of an automobile or the like, or to any other equivalent smooth surface. In the central portion of the suction cup 32 there is imbedded, or otherwise appropriately secured, suitable means Se for attaching the suction cup 32 to the hook member 12a of the resilient strip l2. Such aixing means in the form illustrated may be a screw which m-ay be turned into a threaded aperture 35 in the hook member 12a, or may be secured to the latter as by means of a thin nut 36 (Fig. 2). Should it be desired to attach the suction cup 32 permanently to the hook member 12a, some more permanent means of attachment than that shown might be used.

In Figs. 5 and 6 there is shown a modified form of theholding device in which a flexible enclosure is employed to receive a pipe stem S in inverted position, a stiff or spring-like strip is employed to retain the stern, and an extension of the strip in the form of a hook serves to retain the holding device over the edge of a coat pocket or the like. In this form the exible enclosure 40 is again made of leather or the like, but is sufficiently elongated to accommodate the mouthpiece M of the smoking pipe and all or a part of the stern S. Here the enclosure 40 is substantially cylindrical, and its meeting edges are connected by lacing throughout substantially the length of the holder as with a thong 40a, the lower portion of the exible holder 40 carrying the knotted extremities of the thong 40a which serve as pull means to be engaged by the fingers when the pipe stem is to be withdrawn from the holder. In this instance, the stiff or spring strip, which is indicated at 42, is disposed within the back wall of the leather or other flexible enclosure 40, the strip 42 extending upward through a slit 43 in such back wall and being thence bent down to form a hook 42a corresponding with the hook za of the other form, and provided if desired with an aperture 44 to receive some other form of attachment means when preferred. in a preferred construction of this form of the invention an elongated integral leather tab or flap 4S is used to cover the inner length of the stiff strip 42, this tab being integral with the top of the flexible holder 4@ and being turned inward and directeddownward to overlie the strip 42, the lower ends of both the strip 42 and the tab 45 being secured to the outer wall of the enclosure 40 as by means of a rivet 46 or the like. lt is intended that the enclosure 40 shall rather snugly receive the mouthpiece M and stern S of the pipe, and for the purpose of insuring retention of the pipe in the holder in the event that they should be turned upside down, as by the wearer of the device leaning over beyond the horizontal, a retaining bend 48 is provided at a position somewhat above the lower end of the sti strip 42 and above the rivet or other fastener 47, this part 48 being in the form of a bulge or bead offset toward the axis of the holder in position to overlie the conventional enlarged tip T at the extreme end of the mouthpiece M. The iiexible enclosure 4d being a rather snug fit for the mouthpiece and stem of the pipe, when the tip T of the mouthpiece is forced down through the flexible enclosure 40 to a position past the bulge 48, good retention of these parts in the illustrated position will be assured. Thus, in the form of Figs. 5 and 6, the bulge 48 serves in one way to retain a smoking pipe in the holder, and in the other form the forwardly offset seat 30 serves in a somewhat different manner to retain a smoking pipe in the respective holding device.

In Fig. 7,v another modification is shown which exhibits some of the characteristics of the form of Fig. l, certain of the characteristics of the structure of Fig. 5, and some other characteristics in addition. Here a tubular leather or similar exible enclosure S0 is employed and laced at the front by lacing 52 corresponding with the closure 40 and lacing 40a of Figs. 5 and 6, and the stiff or spring-like strip 42 of metal or the like is also used, this strip having the same hook-like extension 42a to pass over the edge of a pocket, as well as the hole 44 to receive a screw mounting as in Fig. 2. The upper portion of the strip 42 passes through a slit in the flexible enclosure as in the case of the slit 43, and the lower inner end of the strip is secured as by the rivet 46. Also the bead or bulge 48 is provided in the lower inner end of the strip adjacent therivet to serve as a detent for the tip of the mouthpiece of a pipe stem. Thus, a pipe stem Ais thrust up through the enclosure 50 until its tip rides over the budge 48 by which the depending pipe is suspended. It is desirable in this form to provide a hood 54 for the pipe bowl which is adapted to be drawn into bowl-enclosing position by a drawstring 55' which may be a continuation of the lacing 52 or separate therefrom, and may carry a push-up slide 56 to pucker the hood 54 as shown. Thus, with this form the pipe is completely enclosed in the carrying device. This form may also include a. down-turned inner ap 58 like the lap 45 of Figs. 5 and 6 to cover the metal strip 42, the lower end of this being also retained by the rivet 46.

Since certain variations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art, it is intended to protect all such forms as fall within the scope of the patent claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In combination in a smoking-pipe holder: an elongated holder member comprising a flexible body portion having an upper end and a lower end and including an elongated still` strip; cooperating engaging means at the sides of said strip for `at least partially enclosing and constituting enclosing means for positioning the stem and mouthpiece of a smoking pipe; means on the upper end of said strip to attach the holder to a support; and means constituting a downward extension of said strip and offset toward the axis of said body portion to engage and retain the bowl of said pipe.

2. In combination in a holding device for a smoking pipe: an elongated, stiff, yieldable strip member having upper and lower portions; means on said upper portion for attaching the device to a support; and elongated flexible means containing an elongated median pocket receiving said elongated strip member, said pocket having an opening through which said upper portion extends to said attaching means, said flexible means having side portions at its upper part connected together forward of said pocket to provide an elongated vertically extending passage-forming casing to receive and position a pipe stem, the lower portion of said flexible means providing for engagement with a pipe bowl, the lower portion of said strip member being oifset forward toward the axis of said passage in said casing to provide a retaining seat for said pipe bowl when said pipe stem is positioned in said casing.

3. A combination as in claim 2 wherein said lower portion of said flexible means provides lateral extensions to receive said pipe bowl and said extensions are joined to said side portions and have their edge portions merging into the forward edge portions of said side portions for providing a flaring seat for said bowl.

4. A combination as in claim 2 including pull means passing through the lower end of said strip member and said flexible means to hold said strip means against upward movement in said pocket and to provide for downward pull on said device when the pipe is being forced upward into holding position.

5. In combination in a holding device for a smoking pipe: elongated ilexible means providing a back portion and side portions connected with said back portion and connected together in a forward position providing a passage therewithin for receiving a pipe stem; a stiff strip member carried by said flexible means at said back portion and having upper and lower end portions; and means on said strip for mounting the device on a support, said strip having an inwardly offset portion extend ing toward the axis of said passage for engaging a portion of said pipe to retain the same in said holding device.

6. A combination as in claim 5 wherein said ilexible means incindes an elongated pocket receiving and positioning said strip.

7. A combination as in claim 5 including flexible fastening means connecting forward portions of said side portions and adjustable to vary the size of said ilexible means.

8. A combination as in claim 5 wherein said offset is shaped to engage at the inner edge ofthe tip of the mouthpiece of a smolters pipe and retain the pipe.

9. A combination as in claim 5 wherein said offset is shaped to engage the bowl of the pipe and support the same.

l0. A combination 'as in claim 5 wherein said offset is carried at the lower end of said strip member.

1l. A combination as in claim 5 wherein said elongated flexible means includes a flexible hood to receive the bowl of a smoking pipe, said hood having means to close it about said bowl.

12. ln combination in a holding device for a smoking pipe: elongated iexible means providing a back portion and side portions connected with said back portion and connected together at a forward position providing a passage therewithin for receiving a pipe stem; a stid strip member carried by said flexible means at said back portion and having upper and lower end portions; means on said strip member for mounting the device on a support; a flexible hood carried by said flexible means to receive the bowl of a pipe; and means to close said hood about said bowl and providing for opening said hood to release the pipe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 162,153 Gilfert Feb. 27, 1951 1,246,629 McLaren Nov. 13, 1917 1,388,073 Stewart Aug. 16, 1921 2,283,624 Copell May 19, 1942 2,500,257 Mahan Mar. 14, 1950 2,500,846 McFarland Mar. 14, 1950 2,522,477 Wexberg et al. Sept. 12, 1950 2,604,981 Weinstock July 29, 1952 2,654,514 Jensen Oct. 6, 1953 

